The superior one was sitting next to the young Scot, making good
cheer with him. Grand as the whole seemed to the travellers, it
was not an exceptional banquet; indeed, the Duchess apologised
for its simplicity, since she had been taken at unawares,
evidently considering it as the ordinary family meal. There was
ample provision, served up in by no means an unrefined manner,
even to the multitudinous servants and retainers of the various
trains; and beyond, on the steps and in the court, were a swarm
of pilgrims, friars, poor, and beggars of all kinds, waiting for
the fragments.

It was a wet evening, and when the tables were drawn the guests
devoted themselves to various amusements. Lord Salisbury
challenged Sir Patrick to a game at chess, Lady Salisbury and
Dame Lilias wished for nothing better than to converse over old
times at Middleham Castle; but the younger people began with
dancing, the Duke, who was only thirty years old, leading out
the elder Scottish princess, and the young King of the Isle of
Wight the stately and beautiful Duchess Cicely. Eleanor, who
knew she did not excel in anything that required grace, and was,
besides, a good deal fatigued, would fain have excused herself
when paired with the young Richard Nevil; but there was a
masterful look about him that somewhat daunted her, and she
obeyed his summons, though without acquitting herself with
anything approaching to the dexterity of her sister, who, with
quite as little practice as herself, danced well--by quickness
of eye and foot, and that natural elegance of movement which
belongs to symmetry.

The dance was a wreathing in and out of the couples, including